Allen (Al) Oliver Erickson

Allen (Al) Oliver Erickson of Bella Vista, Ark., following a valiant ten year battle with breast cancer, died on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016 at Circle of Life Hospice surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 1, 1940 to Oliver and Lillian Schau Erickson in Battle Creek, Iowa. He served as a medic in the 34th Red Bull Division Army National Guard for eight years, was a graduate of Gale Institute in Minneapolis, Minn., and held two patents from his career as a mechanical design engineer with Case Corporation. After 32 years of service in new product development at Case plants in Bettendorf, Iowa, Wausau, Wisc., and Fargo, N.D., he retired in 1997 and moved to Bella Vista. After retirement, Al started Advantage Windshield Repair, which brought him much happiness and many friends. He served on the board of the Bella Vista Business Association, was a member of the Bella Vista Fly Tyers, and the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista, where he sang with the Chancel Choir. He enjoyed spending time with his family and vacationing, traveling to all 52 states during his lifetime. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and fly tying. He was preceded in death by infant daughter, Kimberly Ann; his parents, step-father Wallace Johnson, and father-in-law and mother-in-law Donald and Geraldine Harris. He is survived by Vicki, his beloved wife of 52 years; daughter, Kristine and son-in-law, Douglas King of Apple Valley, Minn.; daughter, Melissa and son-in-law, Thomas Peacock of Lowell, Ark.; grandchildren, Alexander and Emily King, Zachary Bowman, Isabel and Cooper Peacock; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Don and Lyn Harris and Steve and Kathy Franklin of Bella Vista, and Dan and Bonnie Thornton of Sioux City, Iowa; nephews and a niece and their spouses; cousins and many dear and caring friends. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 at the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista with Rev. Dennis Ritchie and Rev. Liz Wagner officiating. Internment will be in the church's Memorial Garden Columbarium. In lieu of floral arrangements, the family suggests memorials be made to the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista Endowment Fund, 1880 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. 72715; Circle of Life Hospice, 1201 NE Legacy Parkway, Bentonville, Ark. 72712; or Bella Vista Animal Shelter, 32 Bella Vista Way, Bella Vista, Ark. 72714.